From the time I can remember onward, you’ve always encouraged me to chase my dreams. You taught me that there isn’t a limit on what I could accomplish if I really set my mind to it. You’ve driven me to soccer practice where I constantly tripped over the ball, washed my feet in the sink after a long day of playing whiffle ball, and gave me a place to call home.
I remember the times when life wasn’t so great, but then I also remember that if I could get to a phone, I could hear your voices and know it would all be okay. When I don’t know how to handle a situation, or need help, you’re always the first people I call because you’re my safety net.
Growing up, I looked forward to the weekends because I spent most of them with you. Poppi would pick me up and ask which way I wanted to take, he’d ask if I wanted breakfast and how school was. I think those are some of my favorite memories, because those are the times when the little things mattered the most. We would listen to the news on the radio, and I would pretend I wasn’t falling asleep. Then when we got to your house, I’d ring the doorbell and wait for Grandma’s little feet to run down the hallway and answer the door with a huge smile on her face. We’d go shopping, or to the movies, or swimming or out to dinner, but it really never mattered to me what we did, because I just wanted to spend time with you.
If it wasn’t for those moments that you took time out of your day to help me, I don’t know where I would be. Without you, I wouldn’t know how to play Rummy 500, or how to swim under water but most importantly I wouldn’t know the love and happiness in the world. I wouldn’t know compassion and forgiveness, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
Every time I fall, you’re always there to reach out your hands and help me up. I’ll never forget the feeling the day I graduated high school and I saw your smiles. At the time, I thought what was the big deal, a diploma is just a piece of paper? But to you, I knew it meant so much more. In that moment, I was so proud of myself, because I knew I had your support. You took me on college visits, and helped me decide where I was going to spend the next four years. You helped me in every way you could, and made sure at the day, no matter what, my happiness came first.
So thank you for coming to all my games, teaching me how to drive a car, how to tie my shoes, and cheering me on in everything I do. There will never be enough times that I can say thank you for being my biggest supporters and my best friends, but I hope you always know how much you mean to me.
I love you,
Stephanie